according to

preposition

1

: in conformity with

2

: as stated or attested by

3

: depending on

Examples of according to in a Sentence

According to rumors I've heard, he was fired for stealing from the company.

She always did everything according to the rules.

I cooked the rice according to the directions on the box.

He was paid according to how quickly he worked.

Recent Examples on the Web

As long as evacuation orders are followed, no exposure to the product is expected, according to California health officials. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 May 2026

Solo travelers can be on the move more frequently, according to the commercial travel platform Lighthouse Intelligence, which makes Holiday Inn Express’ many locations a bonus. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 25 May 2026

Friday near East Cesar Chavez and North Eastern avenues, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. —Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026

Though EoE was once considered rare, experts now estimate the condition affects roughly 1 in 2,000 people, according to Hassenfeld Children's Hospital. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acordyng to, from acordyng "agreeing" (from present participle of accorden "to accord entry 1") + to to entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for according to

• hullabaloo
• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup

Kids Definition

according to

preposition

1

: in agreement with

did everything according to the rules

2

: as stated by

according to the experts

3

: depending on

dress according to the weather